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A sin can only be unforgivable if repentance is impossible. If someone repeatedly closes his heart to God and shuts his ears to his voice, he comes to a point where he can no longer recognize God even when God makes himself known. Such a person ends up perceiving evil as good and good as evil (Isaiah 5:20). To fear such a sin, however, signals that one is not dead to God and is conscious of the need for God's grace and mercy. There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who refuses to accept God's mercy by repenting of wrongdoing, rejects the forgiveness of their sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit.

Saturday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time

Ephesians 1:15-23

Psalm 8:2-3ab, 4-5, 6-7

L uke 12:8-12  "And I tell you, every one who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; (9) but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. (10) And every one who speaks a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. (11) And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; (12) for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

Meditation by Don Schwager

W hat is the unforgivable sin which Jesus warns us to avoid? Jesus knows that his disciples will be tested and he assures them that the Holy Spirit will give them what they need in their time of adversity. He warns them, however, that it's possible to reject the grace of God and to fall into apostasy (giving up the faith) out of cowardice or disbelief.

The scriptural expression to deny someone means to disown them. Jesus also speaks against blaspheming the Holy Spirit. What is blasphemy and why is it reprehensible? Blasphemy consists in uttering against God, inwardly or outwardly, words of hatred, reproach, or defiance. It's contrary to the respect due God and his holy name.

Jesus speaks of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit as the unforgivable sin. Jesus spoke about this sin immediately after the scribes and Pharisees had attributed his miracles to the work of the devil instead of to God.

A sin can only be unforgivable if repentance is impossible. If someone repeatedly closes his heart to God and shuts his ears to his voice, he comes to a point where he can no longer recognize God even when God makes himself known. Such a person ends up perceiving evil as good and good as evil (Isaiah 5:20). To fear such a sin, however, signals that one is not dead to God and is conscious of the need for God's grace and mercy.

There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who refuses to accept God's mercy by repenting of wrongdoing, rejects the forgiveness of their sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit.

God gives grace and help to all who humbly call upon him. Giving up on God and refusing to turn away from sin and disbelief results from pride and the loss of hope in God.

What is the basis of our hope and confidence in God? John the Evangelist tells us that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Jesus' death on the cross won for us our salvation and adoption as the children of God.

The love and mercy of Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit are freely given to those who acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Is your hope securely placed in Christ and his victory on the cross?

"Lord Jesus, you are my hope and salvation. May I trust you at all times and rely on your grace in times of testing and temptation. Let the fire of your Holy Spirit burn in my heart and fill me with a consuming love for you."

Supplementary Reading

NO FEAR!

I will show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. – Luke 12:5

T he wild clash left five of our "enemies" unconscious. We won that battle in front of the College of Engineering at the University of the Philippines. Thunderous applause came from onlookers who were pleased to see action on an otherwise boring campus day.

Was the bloodthirsty me satisfied? No, I wasn’t. Because the frat’s “fearless” hitman got hit! In rumbles, every bloodied head meant a “score.” Therefore, they scored on me and the frat. I was de-mystified.

The only “pride” I had left was that I fought fiercely. The "enemies" ganged up on the shortest guy who bludgeoned his way out with a lead pipe. Still I bled profusely. My brods drove me to the hospital.

The image of the crucified Lord on the car dashboard struck me: Jesus shed His blood for mankind’s salvation whereas mine was due to blind fanaticism. My vision blurred with tears and blood loss. Was I dying? Will I live?

Yes I did. And I live to testify that His love is fiercer than me. Henceforth, I fight in His service — with weapons of love and grace. Ahoo!

In whose service do you fight for? Is it worth fighting for?

…from all the evil that surrounds me defend me, and when the call of death arise, bid me come to Thee that I may praise Thee with Thy saints forever…  Obet Cabrillas (Kerygma)

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

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